The Commissioner of National Youth Commission (NAYCOM), Ngolo Katta, has commended Octopus Group of Companies and Leecon Poultry after touring the Makokonde livestock farm in the Western Area Rural District (WARD.
Mr. Katta’s commendation comes following his on-the-spot check tour of the farm yesterday with his team and other stakeholders to assess the level of preparedness of the company as it poses to implement an EU funded BAFS modern livestock and piggery project.
In his assessment, he said Octopus is the way forward in terms of mechanized agriculture and livestock processing in the country.
He said NAYCOM was established in 2009 by the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to promote innovation and create job opportunities for youths who make up 42% of the country’s population.
According to the Commissioner, “This is what we call a demonstrative farming. What we have seen here today is exactly in line with the New Direction policies. We are crying of hunger today because we don’t want to invest in farming. But this should be an eye opener for everyone that it is not a magic to establish such an investment. All it takes is commitment and dedication. We are ready to partner with Octopus in this venture as they have job opportunities for our constituents who are youths.”
Mr. Katta commended Octopus for maintaining an already community relation with the people which, he said, will go a long way in developing not only the farm but also creating sustenance and livelihood for the people.
As it continues to implement an European Union funded project through the Boosting Agriculture Foods Security (BAFS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Octopus Group of Companies yesterday received a high-powered delegation from the NAYCOM, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Agriculture, Village Hope International and many more at their Mother Farm, Makokonde village, WARD.
The visit by the delegates was to have a first-hand account of progress being made by Octopus and partner Leecon as they pose to implement modem livestock industry in the country.
They were all impressed after seeing the rapid construction works currently going on in the farm.
In his welcome address, Octopus Project Lead, Rajie Saad expressed appreciation to the dignitaries for leaving their busy schedules to visit the farm which, according to him, demonstrated their commitment towards food security.
He said the 110 acres situated at Makokonde village have ranch, abattoir, slaughtering house and processing facilities as well as a portion where feeds will be grown.
“What we intend to do is to have an added value to our livestock production in the country,” he said. “We are importing improved cow breeds that will be producing fifty litres of milk per day.”
The Director of Animal Welfare Society, Dr. Abdul Gudus Jalloh, said the introduction of new breeds in the country will help boost nutritional values and food security, noting that even though food security continues to be the topic of discussion in the country, nutritional security has to be considered too as it has a lot to do in building the health of the body.
Giving his impression, Honorable Member of Parliament for Constituency 046, Daniel Koroma, said what Octopus is doing is a direct response to the call of President Julius Maada Bio and that he will be briefing Parliament on his assessment about Octopus. He said importation is not the best way to fight poverty and hunger, but producing locally. “When you import, you are creating job for other countries to meet your demand, but when you produce, you are strengthening your economy by providing business for locals,” the MP averred.
He furthered that everyone can afford to eat good meat but accessibility continues to pose serious challenge.
Touring the facilities, Technical Lead, Gospel Matondi explained how the establishment of Octopus farm will increase livestock productivity, processing of milk and meat as they operate in five districts in the country.
He said rearing cow is still considered a trade for the Fullah ethnic group but they want to change that narration by encouraging everyone to invest in livestock production.